R55 Clubman Considerations
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Joined: Dec 2016
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Clubman Considerations
Hello everyone,
I am strongly considering a 2013-ish Clubman S for my first MINI. I've driven a local 2013 automatic (non-S) and there are two others locally (2010 and 2013, respectively) that are S's with the manual gearbox.
To be honest, I think I could be happy with either transmission, but I was wondering if there should be any other considerations or issues to look for.
I was an automotive technician for 10 years, (3 VW certified , 7 with Bentley Master certified & Rolls-Royce) and know my way around cars, but I'm relatively new to the MINI brand and want to make my first choice a wise one.
I've also looked pretty seriously at Countrymen, but I like the driving dynamics better on the Clubman models I've been around.
Thanks in advance for your time and expertise!
I am strongly considering a 2013-ish Clubman S for my first MINI. I've driven a local 2013 automatic (non-S) and there are two others locally (2010 and 2013, respectively) that are S's with the manual gearbox.
To be honest, I think I could be happy with either transmission, but I was wondering if there should be any other considerations or issues to look for.
I was an automotive technician for 10 years, (3 VW certified , 7 with Bentley Master certified & Rolls-Royce) and know my way around cars, but I'm relatively new to the MINI brand and want to make my first choice a wise one.
I've also looked pretty seriously at Countrymen, but I like the driving dynamics better on the Clubman models I've been around.
Thanks in advance for your time and expertise!
The automatic (Aisin) and the manual (Getrag) both have good reputations. My wife drives a Base/non-turbo automatic and I'm on my second Clubman, both with manuals. I don't have to worry about stop and go traffic, and I really enjoy driving a stick, and the Getrag is a nice gearbox. I occasionally drive my wife's car and it's still fun to drive - I sometimes put it in Sport mode and use the paddle shifters for fun.
You'll find lots of threads about the maintenance woes for the turbo engines....they are less severe for the 2011 and later S models.....but they should be simple things for you to tackle. If you even slightly enjoy more power and shifting for yourself, my biased recommendation would be to go for an S with a manual. One thing that I'll highlight - when you're looking at used Mini's with either the non-turbo or the turbo, remember that most of us on NAM feel that the recommended oil change intervals are way too long....so if the previous owner followed the factory recommendations, well , you know....
Have fun looking!
You'll find lots of threads about the maintenance woes for the turbo engines....they are less severe for the 2011 and later S models.....but they should be simple things for you to tackle. If you even slightly enjoy more power and shifting for yourself, my biased recommendation would be to go for an S with a manual. One thing that I'll highlight - when you're looking at used Mini's with either the non-turbo or the turbo, remember that most of us on NAM feel that the recommended oil change intervals are way too long....so if the previous owner followed the factory recommendations, well , you know....
Have fun looking!
I have a Clubman and Love it
So I am bias and would say do it as I think it drives so much better than the Countryman.
I would go for the Manual as long term it will be more reliable. Let alone better to mod if you do that.
So I am bias and would say do it as I think it drives so much better than the Countryman.
I would go for the Manual as long term it will be more reliable. Let alone better to mod if you do that.
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Joined: Dec 2016
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Thanks for your replies, everyone.
As much as I enjoy the R55 Clubman, I think I may actually go for the 4 full door (new generation) model, as I'm struggling with all the stuff I lug around for work and not having ease of access to everything I need. The Countryman is not off the table either at this point.
I drove a nice 6MT Clubman S over the weekend that I really enjoyed aside from the lower hinges on the driver's and passenger's front doors being rusted at the hinge points, making the doors stiffer than sin upon attempting opening and closing the doors. Thanks to this site and my research, I knew to peek at all of the hinges, especially the lower hinges on the barn doors and the 3rd door.
As much as I enjoy the R55 Clubman, I think I may actually go for the 4 full door (new generation) model, as I'm struggling with all the stuff I lug around for work and not having ease of access to everything I need. The Countryman is not off the table either at this point.
I drove a nice 6MT Clubman S over the weekend that I really enjoyed aside from the lower hinges on the driver's and passenger's front doors being rusted at the hinge points, making the doors stiffer than sin upon attempting opening and closing the doors. Thanks to this site and my research, I knew to peek at all of the hinges, especially the lower hinges on the barn doors and the 3rd door.